I have the same problem with a Traditions Deerhunter in .32, the trigger is horrible. I got it for $100, NIB, to play with the .32. I've got to do something about the trigger though. Andy, did you do the work on your gun to get the trigger to a reasonable pull? If so, could you PM me with the info on what to do?
As for spending a huge amount of money on a mler, I wont do it, Not when i can spend under $300 on a rifle with a lifetime warranty and never had any problems in 4 years i owned the gun. Im glad i let my ex girlfriend buy me the winchester I'm not saying spend big money on a rifle, I'm as "cost efficient" as the next guy. I'm willing to spend the time looking for a good deal rather than buying something that's not as good as what I desire, which is quality and longevity. What good is a lifetime warranty if the gun doesn't last that long?
That's one of the biggest complaints with the foreign rifles. My personal experience with those brands wasn't good, so I stay away from them.
Also, if you can pay $300 for a rifle, or pay $300 for a gun that sells for $500, why not get the higher grade gun? It's still just $300. I admit there is a point of diminshing returns when comparing cost to value. I won't spend $600 on a muzzleloader either.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not at all knocking you for having the Winchester. If you are happy, that's all that really matters. I know several people with the Winchester rifles, either the X-150 or the Apex, and they are happy with them. They all say priming the X-150 can be a pain, and that is the only negative that they have.
They all, to a man, only get them out to get ready for muzzleloader season, and probably won't put 500 rounds through the gun in their lifetime. I put close to 500 through my guns just this past fall. The end of Andy's post sums it up for me.